Sheet gauging device



Jan. 4, 1938. I w HULL 2,104,038

SHEET GAUGING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WIZLmORM ATTORNE Jam-4,1938. H LL 2,104,03s

SHEET GAUGING DEVICE Filed Sept. a; 1935 A a Sheets-Sheet 2.

02. M BYE ATTORNEYS;

Jan. 4, 1938. W.R. HULL 2,104,038

S HEET GAUGING DEVI CE Filed Sept. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /ZZ /Z/ 2 INVENTOR J3 mam. Q M6 ATTC NEY Patented Jan. 4,1938

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE g SHEET GAUGING DEVICE WilsonR. Hull, East Orange, N. J., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a. corporation ofNew Jersey e K g Application September 6, 1935, Serial No. 39,494

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to sheet treating machines in which sheets are fed to work pering either square or out-of-square sheets in a predetermined position relative to the work elements and prior to their being fed thereto so that the maximum work area of the sheet will be presented to the elements providing for a minimum scrap allowance along one edgeof the sheet and leaving the over-run or surplus extending along the opposite edge of the sheet.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of gauging devices which operate to square up a sheet along one edge and against fixed gauges and to thereafter shift the sheet at right angles relative to the fixed gauges to locate the narrower end of an out-of-squaresheet as well as to locate a square sheet at a predetermined,

position relative to the work elements'in order in either caseto present the maximum work area of that particular sheet.

Still another object is the provision in a machine of this character of a self locking gauging device wherein thegauging members after being aligned with the sheet edge are locked in such aligned position against independent movement and thereafter move in unison with the sheet to shift it into proper position on the fixed gauges without throwing it 'out-of-square relative thereto. V I

A further object is the provision in such a machine of gauging devices which are adjustable as a unit for different sizes of sheets while main- 50 taining a fixed relation between the gauging members and their locking instrumentalitie s.

. Numerous other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, 5;, taken in connection with the accompanying Another object is the provision in such a ma drawings, thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a shear press equipped with gauging devices embodying the instant invention, parts of the press being broken away; V

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the press as viewed substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially .along' the line 33' in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are fragmentary horizontal sections of different positions of the gauging elements as viewed substantially along the lined-4 in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 showing the gauging elements just discloses a preferred embodiment prior to engaging an edge of a 'substantially' of-square sheets illustratingthe out-of-square of I one sheet extending in an opposite direction from.

theotherf Figs. 8, 9. and 10 are fragmentary enlarged transverse sections taken substantially along the respective lines 8-8, 9-9; and Ill-40 in Fig. 1;

and

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectionstaken substantially along the lines Hll and I2-l2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 12 showing the sheet feeding rollers in separated and inoperative position. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawings is adapted to a shear press which functions to cut a sheet of metal such a'stin plate and the like into transverse strips of predetermined form and dimensions from which canends are subsequently cut out; These strips have an undulating or scroll edge and are referred to as scroll strips in the can making art.

The instant invention comprises certain features, of improvement on the mechanism illustrated in the M. L. Heald U. S. Letters Patent 1,846,330, issued Feb. 23, 1932 and covering Scroll shear device to which .patent reference may be had for a fuller description of certain auxiliary parts of the shear press herein'after described only in brief, these parts being well. known in the art.

t The, scroll shear device or press comprises a horizontal table 2| (Fig. 1) one end of which'is bolted to one side of a bed plate 22' which constitutes a part of the mainframe of the press. The

bed plate supports a usual die mechanism, for cutting the strips from the sheets and may include a fixed lower die or Work element 23 and an upper movable punch or work element 24. The punch slides and down in slideways 25 formed in vertical brackets 26 which are bolted to the top of the bed plate at each end of the fixed die. Reciprocatic-n of the punch in the slideways may be effected in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the press.

Sheets a (Fig. 1) to be cut into strips are moved longitudinally across the table 2| in a step by step movement toward and in time with the movement of the work elements 23, 24. The sheets are guided during this travel by a pair of spaced parallel guide rails 28 which are secured to the top of the table adjacent opposite longitudinal edges thereof. This movement is effected by a pair of parallel and spaced reciprocating feed bars 3! which slide in unison in longitudinal grooves 32 out in the top of the table.

Each feed bar is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced feed dogs 34 which successively engage behind the rear edge of the sheet on the forward stroke of the bars when the latter are reciprocated and thus move the sheet into a gauging position prior to feeding between the work elements 23, 24.

During this movement of the sheet it is held on the table against vertical displacement by rollers 31 (Figs. 1 and 12) mounted on studs 38 carried in a pair of spaced'bars 39 which extend longitudinally over the top of the table above the path of travel of the sheets. One end of each bar is secured to a transverse beam 4| the ends of which are bolted to brackets 42 secured to the top of the table 2 I. The opposite end of the bars (not shown) may be supported in a similar manner.

In the first of the cutting positions the forward edge of the sheet overhangs the rear edge of the lower die element 23 as shown in Fig. 1. This is the trim cut position. While in this position and prior to being out the sheet is aligned longitudinally and transversely of the cutting elements so that the maximum available work area of the sheet as a whole may be obtained. In other words the aligned sheet will be subsequently presented to the work elements so that cutting of the scroll strips will result in a maximum quantity of full size canend spaces in the total number of strips.

The sheet is first located and squared up lengthwise of its path of travel by being moved back against a pair of fixed or stationary gauge stops 45 (Fig. 1) which are carried on pivot studs 56 seemed in each of the bars 39. These stops are pivotable in one direction only and permit only forward movement of the sheet as it passes under them.

The moving of the sheet back against the gauging stops 45 is effected by cooperating upper and lower rollers 52 (Figs. 1 and 12) disposed above and below the sheet line. There are two lower rollers 52 spaced apart and mounted on a cross shat 53 journaled at its ends in bearings 54 formed in the table 2|. The shaft is continuously rotated by any suitable means to move the upper face of the rollers in a direction opposite to the travel of the sheet. These rollers extend into slots 55 cut through the table and are vertically placed so that the periphery of the rollers frictionally engage the bottom of a sheet to position it and then rotate against its bottom surface.

The upper rollers 5|, of which there are two,

to correspond with the lower rollers 52, are located directly above the latter and are carried on studs 51'. Each stud is secured in one end of an arm 58. The two arms are mounted on a transverse rock shaft 59 one end of which is carried in a bearing 6| which is bolted to the supporting beam 4|. The other end of the shaft is carried in a bearing 62 formed in a bracket 63 (see also Fig. 2) which is bolted to the top and at one side of the table 2|.

The rock shaft 59 is periodically rocked in time with the movement of the sheet, by a bell crank 65 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured on one end of the shaft and having'an arm 66 which carries a cam roller 61. This roller is urged against an edge cam 68 (see also Fig. 8) by a coil spring 69. One end of the spring is hooked in the end of an arm H of the bell crank, while the opposite end of the spring engages over a pin F2 which is secured in the side of the bracket 63. The cam 58 is mounted on a continuously rotated horizontal shaft '-'3 which at one end is journaled in a bearing 14 formed in a goose-neck arm 75 of the bracket 63.

Rotation of the shaft 13 and cam 53 rocks the bell crank 65 and shaft 59 to raise and lower the rollers 5| which, when first brought into lower position, momentarily clamp the sheet between them and the rollers 52. It is at this time that the lower rollers 52 move the sheet back against the gauge stops l5 and this properly locates the sheet longitudinally and squares it up along its rear edge.

A compensating gauge device is located on one side of the path of travel of the sheet. t next functions to locate the sheet transversely of its path of travel. This compensating device comprises a pair of spaced rollers 8| (Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, '7, and which are adapted to engage the adjacent longitudinal edge of the sheet at points near its rear and forward ends. The rollers extend down into clearance recesses 82 formed in the top of the table 2| for this purpose.

7 Each roller 8| is independently movable relative to the sheet edge and is mounted on a vertical stud 83 which is held in the forward end of a slide 84. There are two of these slides and each one is freely carried in a transverse groove 35 formed at the ends of a movable cross head or frame 86 which is disposed longitudinally adjacent the path of travel of the sheet. Caps 8? bolted to the cross head confine the slides in their grooves against vertical displacement but permit them free horizontal movement towards and away from the sheet edge.

The cross head 86 is movably supported over the top of the table 2|. A T-shaped lug 9| (Figs. 3 and 8) extends up from the top of the cross head and the upper end of the lug slides in a pair of L-shaped guides 92 which are bolted to the bottom of a bracket plate 55. The bracket plate is bolted fast at one end only this end of this plate being secured in a seat 94 (Fig. 8) which is formed in the arm of the bracket 63. Its free end extends out over the top of the table and over the edge of a positioned sheet a.

The cross head 85 and parts carried thereon are at times moved bodily toward and away from the edge of the sheet by a cam 55 (Figs. 1, 8, and 9). This cam is formed on the back of the cam 68 and operates against a roller 9? which is mounted in an enlarged diameter end 98 of a shouldered rod 99. The rod is carried in a. countersunk bore it?! formed in a boss 552 which may be an integral part of the bracket 63. Rod 99 is backed up by a coil spring 253 disposed within and yetis movable-with the rod when the latter H'iFig. 10).

the bore and located on the rod. This spring urges the roller against the cam while the rod is prevented from turning in its sliding seat'by a feather I84 carried in the rod end 98 and having movement in a featherway 35 formed in the boss I92.

The inner end of the rod 99 is threaded where it extends beyond the boss )2 and is connected to the cross head 86 by a threaded adjusting sleeve iill. The sleeve is rotatably carried in a bearing i 98 formed on the cross head and is restrained from longitudinal movement in one direction by an integral flange I99 which engages against one side of the bearing. On the other side of the bearing a coil spring ill surrounds the sleeve and is compressed against the bearing, in a recess H2 formed therein, by lock nuts H 3 which are threaded onto the end of the sleeve;

This spring provides a meansfor absorbing any overthrow of the cam 96. Thus the cross head is yieldably and adjustably carried on the rod 99 is shifted by the cam 96. w

Forward movement of the cross head 88 by the cam 98 brings the rollers 8| lightly into engagement with the sheet edge without moving the sheet. (Fig, 1) hold the sheet firm during this operation. During this movement the cross head pushes each roller against the sheet edge through the resistance of an individuaLlight coil spring One end of each spring is housed in a-horizontal pocket H8 formed in its cap 81 just above the slide 84. The other end of the spring engages a verticalshoulder I ll of the slide.

In the initial movement of the cross head the two rollers 8| may both engage the edge of the sheet simultaneously, this being when a square edge is presented as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. One will engage the sheet edge before the other when the sheet is out-of-square. In the latter case the first roller upon contacting the sheet edge comes to rest but the cross head continues its movement bringing the second roller into sheet engagement. Figs. 6 and 7 show the position of the two rollers engaging anout-of-square sheet after this initial part of the cross head movement has brought the rollers into place.

Immediately following the time the two rollers 8| come into engagement with the sheet edge, both rollers and both roller slides momentarily remain stationary as the cross head 86 further advance s. It is in this time interval that the slides androllers are locked to hold their relative positions for the next increment of slide movement. If the sheet edge is notsquare one roller'and its associated slide will be ahead of the other, but if the sheet is square the rollers and slides will be even. This locking feature will now be. ex-

plained.

Each slide 89 is cut away along its inner face in an angular notch |2| (Figs. 4i, 6 and 10). The slope'of the side wall of this notch is approximately i9 degrees judged from the inner face of the slide and each notch terminates in a shoulder E22. A locking bar M3 is carried in the cross head 8% and is disposed in a transverse groove i2 5 cut in the upper face'of the cross head. The ends of the locking bar are tapered to correspond with the angle of the side wall of the adjacent notch and at the time the first roller 8| engages the sheet edge and stops there is a slight The hold down rollers 31 on the barsv 39 ing bar I23 forward of the stationary slide. This causes the locking bar. end to move forward in the notch l2| of the stationary slide until the end strikes against the notch wall.

In the event that a square sheet is in the machine and the rollers BI and their slides 8 3 are atrest in the same forward position the locking bar |23 moves centrally of the slides and the tapered ends of the bar engage the opposite notch walls at the same time.

In the event of gauging of an out-of-square sheet, where one roller 8| and its slide 85 is ahead of the other, (Figs. 6 and 7) the continued moveend strikes against the side wall of the notch of the other slide. In Fig. 6 where the right hand slide is in the rear, the bar |23 has been: shifted toward the left. In like manner, the sheet in Fig. 7 which resulted in placing the right hand slide in the forward position has caused shifting of the locking bar 23 toward the'right.

When all of the play is taken up between. the ends of the locking bar and the slides all of these parts become wedged together as a single unit and the two rollers 8| thereupon remain in engagement with the edge of the sheet regardless of their relative forward or backward positions I during the next step of cross head movement.

The holding resistance of the rollers ill on the sheet is now overcome and cross head, locking bar, slides, rollers and sheet move forward or transversely of the line of travel of the sheet a. This shifts the sheet transversely of the gauge stops 45 without otherwise changing its centralized position relative to the gauges 45.

Provision is made for stopping this transverse shifting of the sheet and the parts carried by the cross head 86 at a. predetermined position, this position being automatically determined to bear a certain relation to the work elements 23, 24. This relation is such that, when the sheet is'later successively presented to the working elements, the proper strips will be out from the sheet with a minimum of waste scrap along the adjacent edge of the sheet, this being the edge condition of the sheet edge, but'in any eventthis movement is only sumcient to properly align the sheet relative to the work element.

To effect stopping of the transverse movement of the machinean adjustable stationary 6 wedge member |3| (Figs. 4 to 8) is provided. This wedge member isthreaded atone end where it is held by a rotatable adjusting sleeve I32 carried in a depending bearing I83 formed on the free end of the plate 93. The sleeve is confined in its bearing by an enlarged head which is formed on one end and by locking nuts I34 threaded on the other end.

The outer end of the wedge member |3| is cut away along its sides into a tapered nose I35 which extends into a bore I36 formed in the T- shaped lug 9| of the cross head 86. A feather I31 carried in the wedge member extends into a featherway cut in the lug 9| and this construction prevents turning of the wedge. mem- This It is engagement of one or both of the walls of the tapered slot I38 with the walls of nose E35 that arrests further movement of the cross head i86 at the desired position. When so arrested the spring II! (Fig. 9) yields, this spring being associated with the cam movement of the cross head, and the full travel of the rod 99 under the action of the cam 86 takes place without affecting the cross head movement.

If locking bar 323 is centrally located relative to the slides 8Q, (this being when a square sheet is in the machine) the nose I35 of the Wedge member is centrally aligned with the center of the tapered slot H3 of the locking bar. In this case the final movement of the cross head 86 carries both tapered walls of the slot I38 into engagement with both tapered walls of the nose I35. This is illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the event that a sheet is out-of-square as shown in Fig. 6, the right hand wall of the slot 535 first comes into engagement with the right hand side of the nose I35 of the wedge member and this also brings the sheet to rest. It will be observed that the out-of-square sheet does not move as far in this transverse gauging movement as it did before because more clearance space must be allowed for the wider part of the angular edge.

In like manner, a sheet having an angular edge as illustrated in Fig. 7, causes the left hand wall of the slot 538 to first engage against the left side of the nose of the wedge member and here again the sheet stops moving, being in its proper gauged position. Here again the transverse movement of the sheet is less than it is in the case of a square sheet and for the same reason as stated in the preceding paragraph. This is the meaning of the previous reference to automatic gauging in accordance with the angularity of the sheet edge and is still further explained.

In the three cases illustrated the sheet is moved transversely only a distance which will permit obtaining the maximum work area for the whole sheet as it is cut up into strips by the work elements. The end of the nose i of the wedge member is always a definite distance, indicated by the letter A in Figs. 5, 6, and. 7, from the first engagement of a roller 8i with the sheet edge. This insures that the proper strip length will be obtained from the sheet by the work elements for all of the cuts of the latter.

This predetermined positioning for a maximum work area may be further explained by the statement that a minimum scrap allowance is figured for the gauged edge of the sheet and this will now be referred to as the narrower edge of the sheet. Any overrun of the sheet beyond the actual space needed for cutting of the strips will come on the opposite edge of the sheet. Since this is a variable feature it is only necessary that the sheet be properly gauged along the one edge to produce the narrow or minimum scrap allowance on that edge.

After locating the sheet the cross head 86 moves back, in order to withdraw the rollers 8! from the sheet edge and to unlock and reset the slides 84 so that these parts will be ready for the next gauging forward movement. The cross head carries the slides 84 back until each slide strikes against one end of an adjustable setscrew MI. There are two of these one for each slide and. each setscrew is threaded into a boss M2. One boss :42 is formed integrally with the bracket 63, the other is a part of a sub-bracket I43 which is bolted to the bracket 63.

Each setscrew arrests further individual movement of its associated slide and as a slide comes to rest the other moving slide shifts the lock bar back into its neutral or central position. Stopping of the slides against the setscrews aligns or squares up the gauging rollers 8i. It is during the return movement of the cross head 86 that the die elements 23, 2d, first operate to trim the front edge of the now properly located sheet. The cross head remains in its retracted position for the other cutting actions on the sheet, that is while it is being moved forward and while it is being cut into strips.

An auxiliary feed device comprising a continuously reciprocating feed bar I55 (Figs. 1 and 12) advances the sheet for its diiferent cuts by the work elements. The bar I5! carries a plurality of spaced feed dogs I 52 which successively engage behind the rear edge of the sheet as the bar reciprocates and so pushes the sheet forward between the die or Work elements.

The feed bar I5! is carried on headed studs 953 which extend through a longitudinal slot I54 formed in the bar. These studs are threaded into a side of a block I55 formed integrally with the rock shaft bearing 6 Back and forth movement of the bar on the studs is effected in any suitable manner as by a crank I56 which is secured to one end of the bar.

After each strip is cut the remainder of the sheet is fed forward for the next cut, the transverse location of the sheet being maintained while being so fed by auxiliary gauging instrumentalities. These comprise a pair of spaced stationary gauges ISI (Fig. l) which arecarried on a cross beam I62 suitably supported on the front of the machine. The gauges are formed with shaped edges I 63 which are in alignment with the undulated contour of the die elements and which fit into undulations of the trimmed or cut edge of the sheet as the latter is fed into engagement with them. If a sheet moves out of alignment during its forward travel, these gauges shift the sheet transversely and back into its proper position. A more detailed description of such gauges may be found in the above mentioned Heald patent.

Provision is made for. adjusting the compensating gauge device including the gauge rollers al for different sizes of sheets. This is eifected by movement of the wedge bar HI and cross head 86. For this purpose the cross head adjusting sleeve I0? and the Wedge adjusting sleeve I32 are connected together for cooperative movement by a train of manually actuated gears.

The cross head sleeve I07 at one end is formed with elongated gear teeth I'M (Figs. 1, 9, and 11) which extend forward of the sleeve flange I09. Sleeve Ifl'I is rotated through the medium of meshing idler gears I22, I13 which are mounted on studs I'M, I15 carried in an arm I'IB formed on the, wedge adjusting sleeve bearing l 33 (see bination of work elements for;performing:an'

alsolFig. 8). The first idler gear I'll-meshes with the gear teeth lll, while gear J13- meshes with the idler gear H2 andwith gear teeth I'll ontheinner end of the wedge adjusting sleeve 32. r

i A bevel gearhead I18 is'formed on the inner corner of the sleeve E32 just, on the side of the ,gear'teeth- 2'57, and meshes with .a bevel pinion head we formed on the lower end of a vertical shaft, miscarried in abcss I82 on the bracket plate 93., A collar I83 formed on the shaftintermediate its end is rotatably seated in a recess E84 provided in the top of the boss 5552 by means of which the shaft is vertically supported. A nut I85 is threadedly confined within the Walls of the recess and this construction holds the shaft against. displacement.

At its upper end, the shaft IBI carries a turn pin I86 which serves as a hand grip for turning the shaft. By this means the shaft maybe manually rotated to revolve the various gears of the train just described and by means of such actuation the wedge adjusting sleeve 532. and the cross head. adjusting sleeve it'll are moved. It is this rotation of the sleeves that adjusts the-posi- .tion'of the cross head 8d and wedge member 83! to thevdie elements'23, 24. 7 A desired adjustment of the compensating gauge is maintained by'a latch device comprising 'a flat spring ldl (Fig. 8), which is secured at one endby a screw I92 to the side of theboss. I82,

and'which at its opposite endcarries a latchpin 493.1 The latch pin extends throughv a clearance holeita in .the boss andengages withinone of a plurality of spaced notches H95 cut'in the shaft collar I83. As long as the pin is engaged in a IZO notch ieii the'shaft is locked against turning. While adjusting the pin I93 is pulled out of its notch, the upper end of the spring I9l yielding sufficiently to permit free turningof the shaft Ml.

It isthought that the invention and many of its'attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in'the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form 'hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof, 7

Iclaim:

3.. In a machine for treating sheets, thecombination of -work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members having a plurality. of gauge contact points, and means'for moving the contactipoints of said gauging members independently of i one another in a direction crosswise to the line of I ing said gauging members and the sheet to locate the maximum work area of the sheet laterally of the direction of feeding said sheet to said work elements.

3. In a 'machine for treating sheets, the com.-

operation thereon, means-for; feeding asheet to said work elements, movable gauging members, means for. moving. said gauging members in a direction crosswise to the line offeeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving said gauging members andthe alignment, and locking instrumentalities for holding said gauging-membersin said aligned position during the sheet locating movement.

sheet a predetermined distancewhile in such i. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performingan operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, and means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a directioncrosswi'se to the line of feeding and into engagement with, the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and for moving said gauging members and the sheet a predetermined .distance while in such alignment to'locate the maximum work area of the sheet relative to said work elementsprior to-being fed thereto, said means thereafter retracting said gauging membersto. allow feeding of the aligned sheet. 1

5 In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work ,elements,-fixed gauge members for I locating'the sheetj in longitudinal direction, separatelyfmovable gauging members for locating the-sheet in another or lateral direction, and means'formoving said movable, gauging members independently-of one another in-a direction for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving them'with the sheet a" predetermined distance relative to and laterally of said fixed gauge members-:tolocate the maximum work area of said sheet relative to. saidwork elements.

6. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination. of. work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a. sheet longitudinally to said work elements, fixed gauge members arranged at the same side edge of the sheet'for locating the sheetyin a longitudinal direction, separately movable gauging members bination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, fixed gauge members for 10- eating the sheet in one direction, devices for moving the sheet into'register with said fixed gauge member's, separately movable gauging members for locating the sheet in another direction, and means for moving said movable gauging members independently of one another in a direction crosswise to theline of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of said sheet for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving them with the sheet to locate the maximum work area of said sheet relative to said work elements. 1 V "8. In a machine for. treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a direction crosswise to the line of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and thereafter moving said gauging members and the sheet in unison, and means for arresting the movement of said gauging members and the sheet to locate the latter relative to said work elements.

9. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a direction crosswise to the line of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and thereafter moving said gauging members and the sheet in unison, means for arresting the movement of said gauging members and the sheet to locate the latter relative to said work elements, and means for adjusting said arresting means so that a minimum scrap allowance is provided for along one edge of the sheet, leaving the entire available surplus extending along the opposite edge of the sheet.

10. In a machine for treating sheets, the com- :ination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a direction crosswise to theline of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving them with the sheet a predetermined distance while in such alignment to locate the maximum Work area of the sheet relative to said work elements, and means for re-aligning said movable gauging members relative toeach'other for engagement with a subsequent sheet.

' 11. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a direction I crosswise to the line of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving them to locate the maximum work area of the 'aioeose sheet relative to said work elements, and means for holding the sheet in a slip grip to substantially resist any movement while aligning said gauging members with its edge.

12. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independently of one another in a direction crosswise to the line of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet for aligning them therewith and for thereafter moving them with the sheet to locate the maximum work area of. the sheet relative to said work elements, and auxiliary feeding devices for feeding the located sheet into said work elements.

13. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, separately movable gauging members, means for moving said gauging members independentlyof one another in a direction crosswise to the line of feeding and into engagement with the same side edge of the sheet'for aligning them therewith and for thereaftermoving them with the sheet a predetermined distance While in such alignment for locating the maximum work area of the sheet relative to said work elements, and auxiliary gauging instrumentalities for maintaining the gauged position of the sheet while being fed by said feeding means.

14. In a machine for treating sheets, the combination of work elements for performing an operation thereon, means for feeding a sheet to said work elements, movable gauging means comprising a plurality of yieldable independently movable gauging members for engaging an edge of the sheet at spaced intervals therealong, means for moving said gauging members in a direction crosswise to the line of feeding and into engage' 

